Aggressive Or Passive?
One always wonders how much is too much when it comes to being an aggressive salesperson, but to not come across as being pushy.
Naturally, we must be concerned with coming on "too strong" but also, we need to be concerned with not being strong enough to be convincing.
A lot of Realtors have always impressed me with being more laid-back and non-aggressive, but maybe that goes with the territory. I'll find out as I go.
Anyone working in a retail store however, especially just before Christmas, had better be focused and on the ball!
My wife and I have decided to purchase a new flat screen T.V. We stopped at a local big box store last week and pretty much settled on a 46" Samsung model 650 after looking at all of the different makes.
Since we live in a small city, we value trying to keep more money in our local economy, so we decided that before making the purchase, we would compare with the one large independently owned T.V. store here. They specialize in Sony and advertise a lot, so we thought we'd give them a chance to sell us against the Samsung.
When we stopped in we noticed about four employees behind the camera counter and we walked into the television display department. There was only one other couple in the store and they were looking at a home entertainment center in the T.V. area.
We looked at the various displays, but the specifications such as contrast ratio, Hz's, etc. weren't displayed on several of the 46" models. We waited around for about 15 minutes and finally decided to leave. One the way toward the door, I stopped to look at an SLR camera outfit, which I am also in the market for, and as we turned to go, the T.V. salesman was saying goodbye to his customers and acknowledged us as he walked by. He said, "did you need help?"
Since we had pretty much ruled out doing business here at all, I figured that I would give them a chance to earn our business, so I answered, "we came in to compare the 46" Sony to another set we are considering." Without hardly slowing down in his pace, he said "well, if you think of any questions, feel free to ask," and he strode over to join his fellow salesmen standing around the office.
I feel sorry for the owner of this business, but I will not spend $1,400 + with someone who won't make an effort to "sell me." I'll also purchase the camera elsewhere.
Having been in the retail business for the last 30 years, I have one very plain philosophy for a store selling a product; "People only come in to a business for three reasons:
- to use the phone
- to use the bathroom
- to buy something
Therefore, If there is someone in your store and they are not on the phone, or not in the bathroom, sell them something!"
For the most part, retail stores have one chance to earn someones' business. People may leave and come back if they are well served, but if they aren't, there are too many other options out there.
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